Finding the right vendors for your wedding can be exhausting. Before you dive into filling out a million inquiry forms and looking for someone really cheap to check something off your to do list, I want to encourage you to think about what you REALLY want. Your wedding photographer is the vendor in charge of documenting everything you are investing in. They are the ones responsible for saving your memories for years to come. You want to make sure you get the experience, quality, and content you want to have your memories documented forever. Here are a few key points to think about when looking for a wedding photographer!

Their Style

This is focused on their editing style and how people look in the pictures (posed, candid, whatever).

Some photographers are focused on the perfect pose or documenting all the candids or a mix of candids and posing. You have to know what is most important to YOU. This is your day, your memories, you should get the experience that you want. This does not mean that you hire someone and ask them to only photograph certain things with your photo list - you need look through portfolios to make this decision before hiring them. (you can ask a photographer to see a full wedding from them) Along with this, some photographers edit much darker, or more orange, or brighter, or just minor adjustments, you need to determine what you love best. Just because I love true to color with some good shadows in it, does not mean that you have to love this. If a photographer does not have their portfolio easily accessible, don’t be afraid to ask to see a few full wedding albums to get a feel for their colors and way they take pictures. Not all photographers are the same.

Value

This isn’t just their price! This is the quality and outcome you will receive.

How are they serving you? Is it just another paycheck to them, or are they providing information an guides and tools to help you along the way. Are they able to reply to your emails and make a real connection and being a real person with you? Are they clear in communication and expectations? Do they value YOU? You deserve to be loved, respected, and cared for on your wedding day. This should not be about what the photographer can get out of you, but how they can serve you. If you tell them that family pictures are important to you, are they valuing that and helping you create a time or strategy to get this on your wedding day?

Also, can they back up your pictures and be prepared for worst case scenarios - if a camera fails, or there isn’t power in the spot you were to take pictures in after the sun has set - how can they take care of you. Ask your photographer about their backup system and different lighting situations.

You may associate value to money - are they worth it. Not only are you paying for their work, the hours they are there supporting you, but their years of experience, the education they have invested in, the gear they use to ensure you are getting the best quality they can provide you with, it’s all in there. Someone with more experience will probably cost you a bit more. But- you can spend 20k on a wedding and hire a photographer for $200 and it will look like a $200 wedding…. there is a balance here. If you are investing into your day, you can invest in a photographer to document everything well for you.

Their Personality

Their personality can play a role in how you feel on your wedding day.

Your wedding photographer is one of the vendors that will be with you the most. Just like any other human, photographers have personalities. Do you want someone that leads the show and tells you what to do the whole day? Do you want someone that you hardly know is there? Do you want someone with a mix of those? This is entirely up to you and your personality and who you vibe best with. Their personality can play a role in how you feel on your wedding day. Before booking your photographer you can tell their personality based on how they present themselves on Social Media and how they reply to emails, but I think it’s awesome to get to know them in person. This can be done with a video call, coffee/drink meeting, or even just a phone call. You can see what it’s like to talk and engage with them and determine if you like them. It’s like going on a date! It can be awkward or really fun, but it’s important to know what it’s like in real life.

Communication

The above points all come down to communication with you. If they do not communicate expectations before you sign the contract or after, how can you know what you will receive after the wedding. This does not mean providing a shot list of every little thing they will give you, this can be showing you example galleries, talking about what is important to you and your day, and talking about your dreams and expectations. We cannot read your mind, your photographer should be asking questions AND providing for you, but also are you letting them know what you are looking for and needing.

Do what’s best for you.

If you want someone that loves to communicate, has a mix of pose and candid, will ask you what is important to you, has years of experience and a back up system and will love you - let’s talk ;)

xx Shelbs, Detroit Wedding photographer

You’ve got this!